Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-11-02

they could have made, for the whole
family were born takers. The only
reason these amiable plans fell through
was, because next day, sam being In
formed promptly vetoed them. The
glrls. however. persisted in part aud
even took the pains to call upon Colo
nei Marden to tnd out Just the name OF
the lamp, and where it was TO be
bought. And somehow. the colonel
was so kindly interested, the whole
plan came out, with SANS stern refu-
sal.
sam was quick, but he had depended
50 much on his ready wits that his
memory was poor, He was careless
and hasty OF temper, though speedily
over any outbreak. What he lost on
examinations he made up on recIta-
tlons. aud his averages were as high as
Arthur's. II he hai heavy odds against
him Il was equally TO Arthur's credit
that the wood b * at home was ALWAYS
well titled, and that the paths about
the modest little parsonage on the other
side OF the common from the big gray
house, were shovelled more cleanly and
more promptly than anywhere else.
June came, and opinion was divided
among the Academy boys as to which
would win. Arthur Rand or Sam Al
leu. The usual examinations were
over and nothing was talked OF but the
decision. As to the two mostly nearly
concerned they hardly ate or slept in
the momentous time.
The thIrtieth had come. The COM
pany too. The big hail could hardly
hold another one. Everybody was i'm
patient for the moment after the vale
dIctory.
That came at last. too. Colonel
Marden had risen, was advancing to
the front OF the platform
He was beginning. Hushl
''It Is difficult to award the prize.
Many have done well, but there are
two so far ahead and so evenly matched
that L cannot at present decide. L
want to give them further trial, with,
moreover, a special view to seeing
which has the greater aptitude for the
calling that will be his. During vaca-
ton 1 propose taking both into my
office. The decision will be made 50
that the successful one can enter col
lege at the beginning OF the term The
two are Arthur Rand and Sam Allen. -
So the expectation and suspense were
over for the time, and in the hubbub
that followed more than one boyish
heart hid Its disappointment.
On the following morning the two
boys appeared at the Probate Office.
Colonel Marden explained briefly the
outlines OF the business and set them
to work. 1t was arranged that one
week one was to copy-all papers re-
lating to the registry were duly entered
in the bIg volumes ranged round one
side OF the 6re-proof vault-while the
other attended to the more active
duties.
But If Colonel Msrden had been puz-
Zled before. he was doably so now, as
the weeks went on and the two young
fellows seemed so well matched.
Arthur never forgot where he put a
paper. Sans heart went to his boots
more than once when qIeried as to the
! whereabouts of this or the other petit
tlon or license. Pleasant and kind as
Colonel Marden invariably was TO his
young clerks, both soon found that
there was much about him suggestive
OF his military life He demanded an
exactItude to the minutest detail, an
unquestIonIRg obedience to orders, and
was impatient at the least dereliction
or delay.
Sam was quick at grasping the rou-
tine. Arthur, when his week came for
active business, would often sit biting
his pen, afraid 10 ask about what had
already been thoroughly explained.
Sans prompt Yes, sir," at any brief
command often called a brief nod of
satisfaction, and his disordered desk
frown and glance at the neat array
on Arthur's. Arthur looked nervous
when his turn came to answer the
mail, sam when 1t was for him to copy
and put away documents. "A place
for everything" he certainly had, but
/ he changed the place too often for the
rule 10 be golden one.
The natural outcome or 1t all was
that there WAS quarrel II was
I tribe that WAS the outward cause sam
/ hung his hat on Arthur's nall The
/ latter put his own over It, thereby caus-
/ ing the new straw, bought by Mandy s
picking money, TO fall on a
/ pile of inky rags Discovery came at
noon-
! II say" began sam Indignantly, 81
call that mean business; you did II
| purpose"
at wouldn't have happened II you
hadn't been so clumsy with the INK
BOTTLE" Arthur made answer, calmly.
I'D rather be clumsy with my hands
] t0An NV IclOElcu SAUL NAoo
unpleasantIy reminded of Colonel Mar
denis silence that morning on finding
a pool of ink on his desk Il don't
have TO tell anybody to wait till the
colonel comes In or ask him questions
eternaily about answering letters"
And I've never sent OF a letter OF
administration with my own signature
instead OF the judges Maybe you
think though you're a judge yourself
already" sueered Arthur.
ssI'm Judge OF n decent fellow, and
il YOU don't leave my hat alone in fu-
ture I'll knock yours OFF your stupid
head :" threatened Sam, putting on his
blackened headgear and walking on
with wrath in his heart and more
settled determination than ever 10 WIN
IL only to spite Arthur.
Ii lacked but one week OF the tive
months and neither boy, reviewing tile
time. could tell If he had the advant'
age. 1t seemed to both-nay, TO all
for everybody in town WAS hanging Oh
the result-that a straw would turn tht
scale either way. Each kept watc!
ON the other. painful in Its intensity
It seemed TO be in the very air Colo
mel Marden, meantime, kept his Owl
counsel.
: linen something AaPPS.
, straw fell. A will disappeared, not I,
, be found this time, after brlet thougl
annoying delay, but hopelessiy AM
: finally lost
, 1t was one of unusual Importance
. and. In response to the many calls Z
! look at 1t, Colonel Msrden could onl
produce, with apologies, the copy y
; SANS hand-fatal evIdence-in IN
/ wills" volume There was scare
, and low. Colonel Marden looked An
5 noyed, Arthur elated, and Sam down
cast. 1t was no use repeating ne wa
) sure he had replaced the paper, as II
: deed he had kept watch and guard owe
! his besetting fault the last week. :
I once Colonel Marden expressed himSsi
1 unreservedly.
: "IudIcatiye OF carelessness that migf
D lose you q case or cause you 10 oVefioo
:. l faral a. ~ nn ynnr SdyerSarys slut